Correcting apparatus for strip operations



Mal'ch 3, 1953 RB. HEILMAN ET AL 2,630,319

CORRECTING APPKRATUS FOR STRIP OPERATIONS Filed Dec. 7, 1948 2SHEETSSHEET 2 CIIIII {III .13.) 16 P 16 46 2 15 QZZLw-IW ATTORNEYS-Patented Mar. 3, 1953 assent UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ration of OhioApplication December 7, 11548 Serial No. 63,962

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a correcting apparatus for strip operationsand more particularly to an apparatus for correcting for lateralmovement from its path of travel of a strip during an operation such ascoiling;

A number of apparatuses have been proposed and used in the past for thesame general pur pose. All of these apparatuses in general have falleninto one of two classes. The first class comprises, a guide roll whichis pivotable in a horizontal or vertical plane either about its centeror about one end. The operation of a correct- .ing apparatus of thistype is dependent upon creeping of the strip and ithas been found fromexperience that such creeping of the strip over the correcting roll isinjurious to a fragile coa ing material. The other class involvesautomatically controlled coiler drums which are displaced horizontallyin accordance with the path of the oncoming strip whereby the coil eritself moves so that even convolutions are formed.

. i As pointed out above, the first class of apparatus is objectionablebecause of the fact that it is damaging to fragile coatings on thestrip. Thesecond classisobje ctionable because of the extreme expenseinvolved in the provisions of this type of coiling apparatus.

With the foregoing considerations in mind it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a correcting apparatus which will involve no moreexpense than apparatuses of the first class but which at the same timewill avoid the danger of damaging fragile coatings on the strip.

It is another object of the invention to provide a correcting rollwhich'is pivotable not about either end or its center but about a pointremoved from the roll axis a substantial distance so that the strip willnot be caused to creep over the roll during the'correcting operation.

In accomplishing the foregoing object it is yet another object of theinvention to provide a correcting r011 between a strip processing unitand a coiling apparatus above a line connecting the two so that thestrip in passing over the connecting roll is caused to change itsdirection of movement by a relatively small angle. It is a furtherobject of the invention to provide an apparatus in which the plane ofrocking of the correcting roll roughly bisects the angle of change ofthe strip passing over the correcting roll.

Another object of the invention involves the provision of sensing beamsin operative relation to one edge or both oi the strip in its path tothe coiler and to provide operative connections whereby if the Striptfids'tb wander toward one side the correcting roll will be rockedtoward the opposite side.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide rocking meanscomprising a threaded shaft having a nut thereon connected to the rollmounting and to provide means for selectively clutching said shaft toone of two motors turning in opposite directions so that the startingand stopping of motors is eliminated. In connection with this lastmentioned object it is yet another object to provide a brake which willautomatically enter into operation when the strip is proceeding in anormal straight path so that the correcting roll rocking apparatus willnot function as long as the strip is moving properly.

These and other objects of the invention, which will be pointed out inmore detail hereinafter or which will be apparent to one skilled in theart upon reading these specifications we accomplish by that constructionand arrangement of parts of which we shall now disclose an exemplaryembodiment. Reference is now made to the drawings forming a part hereofand in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical medial cross section through an apparatusembodying the invention.

Figure 2 is an elevational view as seen on the line 22 of Figure l. i It Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side elevational view showing therelationship of the strip and the correcting apparatus.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are diagrammatic plan views showing the operation ofthe device under different conditions. 7

Figure 7 is a schematic wiring diagram of the apparatus. v

Briefly in the practice of the invention the strip issuing from thefinal processing unit prior to coiling is caused to pass over acorrecting roll in such manner that its path' is slightly changed indirection. The change in direction is accomplished by the correctingroll which itself is provided with ,a ro'ckable mounting. The mountingis disposed at such an angle that the plane of rocking of the correctingroll roughly bisects the angle between the elements of strip approachingand departing from the correcting roll. The correcting roll mounting isrocked in one direction or the other by a screw having a nut connectedby an arm to the roll mounting. The screw is turned in one direction orthe other by being clutched selectively into a motor turningin onedirection or to a motor turning in the other direction. The clutchingoperations are accomplished byv suitable electrical connections withsensing devices placed along the strip edge to cause motion of thecorrection roll in one direction or the other in accordance withdeviations of the strip from its proper path.

Referring now particularly to Figures 1 and 2, a part of the framesupporting the rocking correcting roll is indicated at ID. A channelmember H extends between the two sides of the frame and carries thebearings [2 for the roll pivot. The channel I3 is provided with thepivot plates [4 which engage the pivot shaft [5. The correcting rollitself is indicated at l6 and is mounted in the bearings H which aresupported on the channel l3. Stirrup members [8 are secured to the platel3 at each end. A bar I9 extends between the stirrups 18 to connect themtogether. The bar I 9 is connected by means of the members 20 to theblock 2|. The block 2| is provided with the slotted plates 22 each ofwhich has a slot 23. The nut 24 which engages with the screw 25 isprovided with the pins 26 which extend from both side faces thereof andenter into the slots 23. The foregoing structure is for the purpose ofpermitting the parts 22, 2! and 23 to move in an arcuate path while thenut 24 is moving in a rectilinear path. The pins 26 can ride up and downin the slots 23 to permit this relative movement.

The screw 25 is mounted in bearings 21 secured to the machine frame. Thescrew 25 is formed with shaft extensions 28 which are secured throughthe couplings 29 to the motor shafts 30 and 3| respectively. The motorsare indicated at 32 and 33, respectively and each of them has anelectric clutch incorporated therein in the portions indicated at 34 and35, respectively. The numeral 36 indicates an electrical brake for theshaft 28.

In Figure 3 there is indicated diagrammatically in side elevation thepath of the strip over the correcting roll [6. The entering strip isindicated at 40 and the strip passing from the correcting roll to thecoiler is indicated at 4|. In most installations more than one coilerwill be used so that as one coiler is being changed over another coilermay be employed so as to save time. The two coiler stations areindicated respectively at 42 and 43. It will be observed that the stripin passing over the correcting roll 16 changes direction at 4| by arelatively small angle. When the strip is being coiled onto the coilerstation 43 the strip at Ma has changed its direction to a slightlygreater angle. The line AA roughly bisects the angle between theelements of strip 40 and 4|. The line B-B roughly bisects the anglebetween the elements of strip at 40 and 4 la. The line CC thusrepresents substantially a mean bisector of the angle of change of thestrip and it is substantially at the angle C-C that the plane ofpivoting or rocking of the correcting roll is set.

Beyond the correcting roll toward the coiler there is provided a sourceof light indicated generally at 44 and two photosensitive unitsindicated at 45 and 46.

The disposition of the photosensitive cells 45 and 46 can be better seenby an inspection of Figures 4, 5, and 6. These figures arediagrammatical in nature and they show the strip 4| passing over thecorrecting roll 16 and onto a coiler indicated generally at 42. Thephoto-cells are again indicated at 45 and 46. It will be clear that thephoto-cells are laterally displaced so that there is substantially acommon tangent between them. This common tangent will be defined by thestrip edge when it is proceeding in its nor- 4 mal path to form a smoothcoil as shown in Figure 5. In this situation the photo-cell 45 isenergized while the cell 46 is obscured. In this situation the apparatuswill be at rest. In Figure 4 if the strip is wandering toward the rightthe cell 46 will also be energized while if the strip wanders toward theleft as in Figure 6 the cell 45 will be obscured. We have therefore anormal situation where one cell is energized and the other is obscuredand we have on the one side the situation where both cells are energizedand on the other side the situation where neither cell is energized. Theoperation of the apparatus in response to signals from the photo-cellsis best seen by a study of Figure '7 which is a diagram illustrating howthe various elements are connected together.

In Figure 7 we have indicated the photo-cells- 45 and 46 as beingconnected respectively to the electronic apparatus indicated generallyat 41' and 48. These apparatuses will be understood to include necessaryamplifying apparatus which forms no part of the present invention. Itwill be observed that the clutches 34 and 35 are actuated respectivelyby coils 34a and 35a and that the brake 36 is actuated by a coil 36a.Each of the electronic apparatuses 4'! and 48 is connected to a coil 41aand 48a respectively and the coils 41a, and 48a operate the switchesindicated generally at 49 and 50. Each of these switches has twoelements indicated respectively at 49a, 49b, 50a. and 501).

By tracing through the diagram of Figure 7 it will now be clear thatwhen the strip is following its normal path so that the photo-cell 45 isenergized while the photo-cell 46 is obscured the coil 41a will beenergized throwing the switch 49 to the position shown where the switch49a establishes a contact to energize the coil 36a of the brake. Thecircuit continues through the switch 50b. The coil 35a and the coil 34awill not be energized because the switches 49b and 50a are open. Themotors 32 and 33 will be rotating at synchronous speed in oppositedirections and the lead screw 25 will not rotate.

Suppose now that the strip 4| wanders toward the right of Figure 7 sothat the cell 46 becomes energized. When this happens the electronicapparatus 48 causes the coil 48a to be energized raising the switch 50so that the switch 50a closes its circuit while the circuit previouslyclosed by the switch 50b is open. The switch 49 remains in the positionshown. In this situation it will be observed that the switch 5% inopening breaks the circuit to the brake coil 36a and closes the circuitto the clutch coil 34a. Therefore the shaft 28 will be coupled to themotor 32 and the lead screw will rotate in the direction of the motor32. This will rock the correcting roll in a direction to correct themovement of the strip laterally until the strip returns to the positionshown in Figure '7 whereupon the brake will again be applied and theclutch 34 will again be energized.

If now the strip wanders toward the left of Figure '7 so that bothphoto-cells are obscured, the switch 50 will be in the position shown inFigure 7 while the electronic apparatus 41 will be de-energized thusde-energizing the coil 41a. The switch 49 will therefore drop openingthe switch 49a and closing the switch 4%. The opening of the switch 49ainterrupts the circuit to the brake coil 36a thus releasing the brakeand energizes the clutch coil 35a thus causing the clutch 35 to operateto clutch the shaft 28 to the motor 33. The shaft 28 will thereforerotate in the direction of the motor 33 rocking the correct ing roll inthe opposite direction until the strip returns to the position of Figure7 in relation to the two cells 45 and 46.

It will be clear to one skilled in the art that the details of thecontrol described herein may be modified considerably without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. The important point of the inventionis that the strip in passing to the coiler is caused to brake around aroll at a relatively small angle and that the correcting roll is causedto rock in a plane roughly bisecting that angle. This structure coupledwith the fact that the correcting roll does not rock about any point onits own axis but about a point remote from its axis produces a conditionwhere the strip does not creep with respect to the correcting rollduring the correcting operation. This feature is of extreme importancein connection with operations on a strip which carries a fragile coatingwhich could be deleteriously affected by slipping contact or creepingcontact with a correcting roll.

As we have indicated, it is not necessary that the rocking plane of thecorrecting roll be on the bisector of the angle of break of the strip,but the nearer it is to the bisector the better the results. We havetherefore specified that the rocking plane roughly bisects the angle ofbreak to indicate that preferably it should be in the central region ofthe angle.

Furthermore the apparatus described will operate without a brake, and wedo not limit ourselves to a structure including a brake.

It will thus be seen that we have accomplished the prime objective ofthe invention without at the same time employing a structure asexpensive as one where the coiler itself is laterally displaceable tomake up for deviations laterally of the strip in its path of travel. Theexpense of an installation as outlined herein is but a fraction ofexpense of such a complex coiler arrangement. Furthermore the presentinstallation exhibits a considerable saving in floor space over thearrangement where the coiler itself is displaceable.

For the foregoing reasons it will be understood that We do not intend tolimit ourselves in any manner other than as set forth in the claimswhich follow.

Having now fully described our invention what we claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A correcting roll for use with a coiler for winding a strip ofmaterial issuing from a processing unit into a coil, comprising a rollover which said strip passes, said roll being disposed above a lineconnecting said unit and coiler to cause said strip to change directionthrough a small angle, a mounting for said roll pivoted at a pointremote from the axis of said roll about a pivot roughly normal to aplane bisecting the angle of change of direction of said strip, andsubstantially centrally disposed with respect to said roll, about whichsaid mounting may rock in a plane roughly bisecting the angle of changeof direction of said strip, and means for causing said mounting, andtherefore said roll, to be rocked selectively to one side or the otherin accordance with lateral variation in strip travel.

2. An apparatus for use with a coiler to correct any tendency of stripbeing coiled to deviate laterally, comprising a roll over which saidstrip passes before entering said coiler, said roll being disposed tocause said strip to change direction through a small angle, said rollbeing provided with a mounting, said mounting being pivoted at a pointremote from the axis of said roll about a pivot roughly normal to aplane bisecting the angle of change of direction of said strip andsubstantially centrally disposed with respect to said roll, whereby saidmounting and roll may rock in a plane roughly bisecting said angle ofchange of direction, sensing means operatively disposed in relation toan edge of said strip to detect a lateral deviation in strip travel, andmeans responsive to the action of said sensing means to rock saidmounting in one direction or the other in response to said sensings.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, including a screw, a nut inoperative relation with said screw and secured to said mounting so thatrotation of said screw produces rocking of said mounting, twocontinuously running motors for driving said screw respectively inopposite directions, two clutches respectively for clutching said screwto one or the other of said motors, and electric circuits connectingsaid sensing means with said clutches in such manner that a sensing inone direction energizes one of said clutches, a sensing in the otherdirection energizes the other of said clutches, and a neutral sensingde-energizes both of said clutches.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2, including a screw, a nut inoperative relation with said screw and secured to said mounting so thatrotation of said screw produces rocking of said mounting, twocontinuously running motors for driving said screw respectively inopposite directions, two clutches respectively for clutching said screwto one or the other of said motors, a brake for said screw, and electriccircuits connecting said sensing means with said clutches and brake insuch manner that a sensing in one direction energizes one of saidclutches and de-energizes said brake, a sensing in the other directionenergizes the other of said clutches and de-energizes said brake, and aneutral sensing de-energizes both of said clutches and energizes saidbrake.

RAYMOND B. HERMAN.

WILLIAM F. NOLAN.

REGIS C. BINDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 163,207 Kellberg May 11, 18752,066,306 Horton Dec. 29, 1936 2,082,634 Johnstone June 1, 19372,108,232 Nash Feb. 15, 1938 2,339,204 Stockbarger Jan. 11, 19442,366,331 Harless Jan. 2, 1945 2,461,084 Robertson Feb. 8, 1949

